Sarah Hyland expressed gratitude for her Modern Family TV mom Julie Bowen’s support amid a past abusive relationship in an emotional speech about domestic violence.
Hyland was honored at Variety’s Power of Women event in Los Angeles on Thursday with the inaugural Courage Award for her advocacy for survivors of domestic abuse, as well as her work for animal welfare. On stage to accept the award after Bowen introduced her, an overcome Hyland spoke about the courage to leave an abusive relationship.
“I didn’t think that this would be as emotional,” Hyland began, telling Bowen as she stood to the side of the stage, “I love you.”
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“October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and while it is not the easiest topic to talk about, it is of the utmost importance that we do,” Hyland continued. “I have been open about my experiences as a survivor, and I want to support others in the way that Julie and all of my close ones have done for me.”
“Accepting this award for courage has made me think about what that word means to me,” added Hyland. “It takes courage to wake up every morning and face the world knowing that people may have no idea what you are going through. It is all too easy to feel isolated and misunderstood, no matter how strong you are.”
Speaking on Purina’s work and the brand’s Purple Leash Project, which creates safe spaces for domestic abuse survivors and their pets, Hyland concluded her speech by thanking the audience “for listening and not turning away,” as well as thanking her “TV mom” Bowen and her real mother.
Sarah Hyland and Julie Bowen at Variety’s Power of Women event.
Rodin Eckenroth/Variety via Getty
In 2014, Hyland filed a temporary restraining order against former ex-boyfriend Matthew Prokop, an actor who also made an appearance on an episode of Modern Family. Hyland accused Prokop of choking her and becoming hostile, including making threats to burn down her house, after she broke off the relationship. Bowen was reportedly mentioned in the documents, as Hyland detailed seeking help from her onscreen mother to “peacefully end the relationship.”
Bowen addressed the headlines pertaining to her help earlier this year, sharing on a podcast interview that she feels maternal toward Hyland and the rest of her onscreen children. “I was a responsible adult that happened to be around at the right time,” Bowen said on the Skinny Confidential Him & Her. “But I mean, I’m sure another responsible adult would have done the exact same thing. I just love her.”
The duo played mother and daughter on the Emmy-winning sitcom Modern Family, centered on the Pritchett clan led by patriarch Jay (Ed O’Neill) and his much younger second wife Gloria (Sofia Vergara). It ran on ABC for 11 seasons, ending in 2020. The cast — most of whom recently reunited at this year’s SAG Awards — has remained close since the show wrapped. Hyland’s TV family attended her wedding to Wells Adams in 2022, where her onscreen uncle Jesse Tyler Ferguson officiated the ceremony.
Watch Hyland’s speech in full above.